Behavior of <em>Apis mellifera</em> L. Africanized honeybees in sunflower (<em>Helianthus annuus</em> L.) and evaluation of <em>Apis mellifera</em> L. colony inside covered area of sunflower

Abstract

This research was carried out to evaluate the behavior of africanized honeybees, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae) and the development of a colony inside a covered area of sunflower, Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae) crop. It was used an area marked with 8 m x 3 m, and a second area in which a honeybee colony was installed inside a covered area with wire screen of 8m x 3m, two meters high in the highest part. The honeybees were constantly on sunflower during all day, however the Halictidae bees had been the most frequent in pollen harvesting, but these bees were seen until 11 a.m. In covered area, it occurred a reduction of 34.74% in swarm weight, 38.08% in honey, 100% in worker pupae, and 99.37% in egg-larvae. The honeybees gathered more nectar than pollen during the day. The nectar forager has more effect upon crop pollination than pollen foragers and pollen/nectar foragers, in sunflower.